Sandigan acquits former rights official

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has acquitted former Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Cecilia Rachel Quisumbing of graft, direct bribery and breach of conduct because the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The case stemmed from Quisumbing’s promotion of a coterminus staff in 2013 allegedly to obtain the said staffer’s salary differentials.

According to the criminal information, Quisumbing promoted Ma. Regina Eugenio from Administrative Aide VI to Senior Administrative Assistant III in “disregard of the Civil Service Commission’s rules on merit and promotion.”

Quisumbing was accused of obtaining Eugenio’s salary differentials, therefore causing her to suffer undue injury. According to Eugenio, Quisumbing received at least P41,292.85 from her salary.

In her testimony, Eugenio revealed that the difference in her salary amounting to around P10,000 monthly went into the so-called “CRVQ office fund.” “CRVQ” stands for the initials of Quisumbing. Quisumbing also had custody of the said funds.

During the trial, Quisumbing said the funds were pooled resources for office parties and other activities. She denied that she promoted Eugenio in exchange for her salary differential.